AHFC Funds Four Projects for Safety, Health and Education Professionals

Grants support housing that attracts qualified personnel for community-development

By Alaska Housing Finance Corporation

Published: March 6, 2018

AHFC and the Rasmuson Foundation have partnered to bring $2 million in housing grants to four communities across Alaska.

Image courtesy of PromoRepublic

Anchorage Alaska – One community is without a village public safety officer despite advertising for two years. Another community houses its two teachers in an aging mobile home that was severely damaged by a storm. Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), in partnership with the Rasmuson Foundation, announces $2 million in Teacher Health Professional and Public Safety Officer Housing (THHP) grants to support housing construction in four rural Alaska communities.

“Access to safe, quality and affordable housing is vital to the well-being of any community”, says Bryan Butcher CEO/executive director of AHFC. “Along with Rasmuson Foundation contributions, these funds meaningfully impact housing shortages.”

Projects selected for funding are energy efficient, provide job training and employment to a local labor force, and address a specific goal or need for safe, quality, affordable housing:

Hoonah Indian Association will receive $550,000 to support seven units (14 bedrooms), along with office space for rotating behavioral health services.

Village of Kasaan will receive $373,000 to replace a damaged trailer with a duplex intended to house teachers and provide low-income housing for a tribal member.

Village of Tununak has been recruiting for a Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) for nearly two years without success. The village will receive $381,000 to build a three-bedroom home. The Village’s approach to the project development combines several funding sources to modernize infrastructure, including water, sewer and roads.

Huslia Village Council is receiving its third THHP grant in 12 years, $550,000, to build a duplex for law enforcement and health professionals. The community has experienced a shortage of VPSOs, and a health aide position has been vacant since 2016.

THHP funds are competitively awarded and do not fund any project in its entirety. Twelve communities applied for the gap funding this year. Awards for funding are made based on published criteria (ahfc.us).

The Alaska legislature authorized spending of AHFC’s corporate dividend for this purpose in 2017, along with a match from the Rasmuson Foundation.

The THHP program has funded 120 projects since it was launched in 2004. An interactive map and list of prior awards is available at ahfc.us.